Ascent of Vehuskjerringi on 2011-01-30

Ascent Trip Report

We climbed this peak the day after Petter Bjorstad’s 60th birthday celebrations at the old mountain lodge at Haukeliseter. We had also climbed Brokefjellet and Roan during the trip.

The trailhead is at N59.62892 E8.01615 (717m) on highway 37 on the pass between Amot and Rauland. There is parking for 2 or 3 vehicles just off the road. There is a barrier across the forest road here. It was open but the snow conditions are not ideal and we did not attempt the (relatively short) drive to the start of the mountain path.

From the TH, hike the forest road east 600m to N59.62745 E8.02659 (742m). At this point a wooden sign points L (NE), indicating the start of the trail. From here look out for red “V” waymarks, mainly on trees. In deep snow there are insufficient markings and we lost the trail a few times. In soft snow below the treeline the ascent (in snowshoes) was very hard work. After the initial climb is a more open (marsh?) area. Beyond this the trail re-enters the forest and heads fairly directly to a small cabin (N59.62581 E8.04168, 922m). From here the trail descends slightly to cross a stream then climbs to a ridge. This ridge is followed ESE, then head S a short way to reach a re-entrant. Looking E, a saddle can be seen, with the summit visible up to the R (ESE) with its prominent summit cairn. On the final climb the trees thinned and the snow conditions were much better. A minor summit is crossed (P20m approx). We took off our snowshoes and tackled the final steep climb in boots via an obvious steep snowy ramp climbing R to L. This involved step-kicking (no need for crampons) and would probably be YDS 2+ in summer.

The summit is marked by a tall 2m square cairn reminiscent of Roan (Friday).

We headed down the same way, making a better job of following the route then we had done on the ascent. We then drove E to catch our respective homeward flights vias Rygge (to Stansted) and Torp (to Edinburgh).